Privacy Policy

Valerie Weber Counseling ("we," "us," or "our") provides telehealth counseling services to clients in New York, Indiana, and Illinois. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services. Please read it carefully.

Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

• Contact information you provide, such as your name, email address, phone number, and location, when you fill out our contact or scheduling form.
• Health information shared during intake, scheduling, or the course of counseling services, which is treated as protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA.
• Website usage data, such as pages visited, browser type, and general location, collected automatically through standard web analytics.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to inquiries and schedule appointments
• Provide, coordinate, and bill for counseling services
• Communicate appointment reminders and follow-ups
• Maintain accurate clinical and administrative records
• Improve our website and the services we offer
• Comply with legal, licensing, and regulatory obligations

Protected Health Information (PHI) and HIPAA

As a licensed mental health counseling practice, Valerie Weber Counseling complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Clinical records and PHI shared during counseling sessions are kept confidential and are only used or disclosed as permitted by HIPAA, applicable state law, or with your written authorization. A separate Notice of Privacy Practices, provided at the start of care, describes your rights regarding your health information in greater detail.

Telehealth Services

Our counseling services are delivered via secure telehealth platforms. While we use HIPAA-compliant video and communication tools, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. By using our telehealth services, you acknowledge the inherent risks of electronic communication and agree to use a private, secure connection whenever possible.

Cookies and Website Data

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to understand how visitors use the site and to improve functionality. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though some features of the site may not function properly as a result.

Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal or health information. We may share information with:

• Insurance providers, when applicable, for billing and claims purposes
• Business associates who help operate our practice (e.g., scheduling or billing platforms), under HIPAA-compliant agreements
• Other healthcare providers involved in your care, with your authorization
• Legal or regulatory authorities, where required by law

Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. While we work to protect your data, no system can guarantee absolute security.

Your Rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have the right to:

• Request access to or a copy of your records
• Request corrections to inaccurate information
• Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your information
• Withdraw consent for future communications at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below.

Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children through our website. Counseling services involving minors are provided only with appropriate parental or guardian consent.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this policy was most recently revised.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us at (917) 270-6635.